Crowd favourite Leroy McKenzie appears to have reached the end of the line at York Wasps.

The 31-year-old winger was left out of the side which played Featherstone on Sunday having failed to show up for training.

However, he did turn out for Hull Rugby Union Club for the second successive week on Saturday and Wasps coach Lee Crooks has now accepted that McKenzie has made his choice.

"I am resigned to the fact he has decided to go to Hull so I've got to look to the future," said Crooks, who was critical of the way McKenzie and Hull RU have handled the situation.

"We don't want to keep anyone here if they don't want to stay but it would have been nice if the player had shown the courtesy to say 'I've been offered this contract and it would be in my best interests to play for them' and I'd have thought the club (Hull RU) would have had the courtesy to ring up.

"That goes to show that although rugby union is becoming professional they've still got to lot to do."

Crooks has been in touch with the Rugby Football League but he revealed: "They said there is nothing they can do and there is nothing we can do."

Although he is registered as a Wasps player, McKenzie is not receiving any money so cannot be sued for breach of contract.

Crooks added that it would not be acceptable for McKenzie to play for both clubs at the same time.

The former Hull FC star joined the Wasps in April 1999 but has been unlucky with injuries, suffering a broken hand and broken jaw.

Although exciting on the attack, a lack of clear-cut chances has resulted in just six tries from 32 appearances.

He was recently dropped by Crooks and has been struggling to get to training because of a new job which involves more travelling from his Hull home.

Crooks confirmed he will now try and bring in a new winger as a replacement.

He is also looking to bolster the pack and is still intending to speak to Heworth forward Jason Gatus, who has been on holiday.

However, fellow Villager Dan Briggs is now expected to stay with Heworth. Crooks had been hoping to bring the former Wasps Academy player back to Huntington Stadium but said: "I think he is stopping at Heworth because he has a chance of playing for BARLA Great Britain."

Meanwhile, Wasps chief executive Ann Garvey has called on the people of York to turn out in force for Sunday's Silk Cut Challenge Cup tie with Villeneuve Leopards.

Due to the international nature of the fixture, Coun Ken King will represent York City Council at a civic reception before the match.

Delegates from France will also be in attendance while representatives from the French embassy in London have been invited.

Updated: 09:40 Thursday, February 08, 2001